About 40 people gathered at the George Hail Library on Friday evening to witness the unveiling of a new painting of a local captain and state representative, Charles Thompson Loughhead.

The portrait was donated through the combined efforts of the Warren Preservation Society President, Nick Heywood, Eileen Collins, Marcia, Julie and Todd Blount.

“One of our goals at the George Hail Library is to maintain a historical collection of Warren artifacts throughout history and share them with the many visitors from around the world, so this portrait will be a treasured addition,” said Library Director Chris Matos.

About Captain Loughead
George Hail Library’s Museum Archivist and Cataloging Librarian, Robin Fitzpatrick, pulled together a biographical pamphlet on Captain Loughhead, which reads:

Charles Thompson Loughead was born to Suzanne Thompson (1762-1795) and James Loughead (1730-1785) on October 13, 1784. At the age of 24, he married Sarah Miller Thompson (b. 1782) on April 22, 1809 at the Congregational Church in Barrington, RI. Samuel Watson presided over the ceremony. A daughter, Ophelia, was born in 1811, followed by Susan on November 20, 1814. Sarah died in 1814, possibly due to complications from childbirth.

In 1811, Captain Loughead was sued twice by a Black sailor named Bristol Peck for assault. He served in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1815.
Captain Loughead was also master of the brig Frances out of Providence. He died at the age of 33 on March 25, 1818 in Dartmoor, England while sailing from Antwerp, Belgium to Providence, RI.

An inventory of Captain Loughead’s assets was completed on October 5, 1818 totaling $2,664.24. Included in his assets were a 1/8th share of the Frances as well as household goods and clothing, marine navigational equipment, linens, books and papers, furniture, and a pianoforte.

Captain Charles Thompson Loughead was buried in the North Burial Ground on Main Street in Warren.